Bicycle handle bar fork



Oct- 20, 1953 H. MUELLER 2,656,202

BICYCLE HANDLE BAR FORK Filed Feb. 10, 1949 INVENTOR.

HOME)? L.MUELLE emu $4M ATTOTCA/EXS.

Patented Get. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE Homer L. Mueller, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland Welding Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 10, 1949, Serial No. 75,573

11 Claims.

The present invention relates as indicated to improvements in handlebar steering posts and more particularly to improved handle bar units for cycles.

' The term cycle as used herein, is intended to include bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles and other similar vehicles. The usual handlebar structure for cycles most commonly used today consists of a gooseneck handlebar steering post or stem rotatably mounted along with the stud portion of the cycle front wheel fork, within the frame steering head by means of an elongated threaded connecting bolt and a wedge member, effecting a tight frictional engagement between the cycle front wheel fork and the gooseneck handlebar steering stem. The handlebars proper are separate units and are adjustably retained in the gooseneck extension post or stem by means of the conventional friction clamp.

Due to the fact that the conventional handlebar construction for cycles is readily adjustable to suit the varied tastes of the individual cyclists, the interests of safety consequently have suffered considerably.

' The principal object of this invention is to provide a handlebar steering structure for cycles which is generally more satisfactory than any heretofore previously employed.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a fool-proof and tamper-proof structure for handlebar units which is nevertheless simple of construction and safe of operation,

Other objects will appear as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention. then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

Broadly stated, this invention consists in telescopically interfitting the stud portion of a cycle wheel-supporting fork and the stem portion of the cycle handle bar unit and in providing another member which is disposed within both of said stud and stem portions and which is axially shifted relative to one of said portions through a lateral projection thereon extending through the wall of the inner one of said stud and stem portions for effecting a frictional gripping of the inner one of said portions between the outer one of said portions and said another member. In this way, the stud and stem portions may be locked in desired positions without the usual polygonal bolt head or nut at the upper end of the stem portion or lower end of the stud portion.

More specifically stated, the present invention has to do with a connection of tubular members as aforesaid in which the lateral projection is in the form of a pin on said another member extending through an axially extending slot in the inner one of the stud and stem portions and in which a tubular nut means has threaded engagement around said inner portion and engages said pin to cause relative axial movement of said another member and said inner portion upon rotation of said nut.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevational view of a cycle using my improved handlebar steering assembly;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a steering column assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one element of the steering assembly illustrated in the previous figure;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the steering assembly taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an illustration of. one alternative form of construction of my invention.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 comprises generally a fork memher I and a handlebar stem member 2 arranged in telescopic engagement and rotatably supported in a frame head member generally indicated at 3 by means of anti-friction bearings 4. Handlebar stem 2 is a hollow metal element terminally slotted as indicated at 5 to facilitate the expansion of such lower end. The upper portion 6 of handlebar stem 2 is formed to engage and retain the handlebars l as shown in Fig. 1. Cylindrical expander element 8 is also a hollow metal tube adapted to fit within handlebar stem 2 in telescopic engagement therewith. There are complementary inclined seats. 9 on the lower portions of both cylindrical expander 8 and handlebar stem 2 so that upon relative axial movement between the two elements, the slotted portion of handlebar stem 2 is expanded and forced into gripping engagement with the inner wall of front wheel fork stem I.

Handlebar stem 2 is provided with diametrically opposite, axially extending slots Ill at a point removed from the slotted terminal portion 5. The cylindrical expander member 8 is likewise provided with a transverse opening H at its r upper portion, which is'in alignment with the axially extending slots Ii) of handlebar stem 2. Handlebar stem 2 is further provided with threading l2 on its exterior surface in the area of the 3 slots I0. Pin I3 is formed to extend through slots II) of handlebar stem 2 and opening II of cylindrical expander element 8. The purpose of pin I3 is to control the relative axial movement of cylindrical expander 8 .within handlebar stem 2.

Adjusting nut I4 is adapted to thread onto portion I2 of handlebar stem 2 and has an annular groove I5 on its inner face into which project the ends of pin I3 as best illustrated in"-Fig. 2. The axial distance between-;pin.l.3zand terminally slotted portion 5 of handlebar :stem 2 =may the varied depending on such circumstances as the size and type of the cycle frame,.so as to provide sufficient space for the axial travel of adjusting nut I4. Screw plug I6 fits into threadedtopening I1 of adjusting nut I4 and serves to retain pin l3 ,in position. Handlebars .1 may beconnected .to

:the uppenportionlii.of'handlloar s'temfZlin any conventional manner. However, for purposes of ?this invention, .best.results were obtained when Thandlebars ,"I were welded into an .integral .unit withihandlebar. stem '2. The contours .of handlebarstem '2 have'been illustrated as being merely :df straight tubular construction; ihowever it is to.be.notedlthat. any designthatlis practioalmay "be .iemployed with equal results, as for example .theiusualsgoosenekdesign.

.In .the-,,practica1 operation -of my invention, ffront'wheelfforkmember I islinserted .up-in'to.the steeringhead 3 of the cycle ,frame. Thelball bearing journalling generally'indicated at dis of conventional design .and well .known to those :skilled'inthe art, so that .furthenmentionis not i'n'ecessary. Handlebar .stem .2 .is prepared for izuse"by inserting .into said .stem .the- -cylindrical expander" 8, and aligningapertures I [L and .open- .ing .I I .Pin. I3is-ithen' inserted ,into .such aligned openings after adjusting nut I .4 has Theenmoved down the threaded area 'I2 and opening .IiTI oof ,.nut,I 4 ,isalso inalignment withapertures wand op n ng TM.

The assembled handlebar stem '2 is .thendn- .sertejd'linto terminal telescopic engagement with the front wheel iforkstem 'I, whichisrotatably :.mounted within the iframe steering .post .3, and thelheig'ht .of .the'han'dlebar steering Tunit ..above thefframe of "the .cycle is ,variedby adjus'tingthe -extent to whichlhan'dlebar .stemLZ .inser'tefdinto .ffrontwheeljforkstem.I. .With .the ends-of pin I3 resting in the .annular .groove 15 m .nut 14, movement of .nut "H! away .ffrom .ball bearings '4 "automatically lbrings cylindrical expander .18 up .into -..element .2. .Zlhe comp'lementary inclined seats l9 ,of expander -8 -force -.outwardly .the.lower portions of lhandlebar. stem .2. .The ,position -of :adjusting .nut 14 .determines -.the extent .of -.the frictional engagement-between.fork stem I and -handlebar stem} withinl-steeringlheadi3. .Screw plug I.61is .then .inserteddnto .opening I I and .the steering.assemblyisready.fornse.

.:It..might bementioned at this point .thatthe ihandlebars .proper, I generally indicated at .I, are welded to-the vupper,p.ortion of. handleharsteml, thus .eliminating 1 the. adjustment .of .the angle -of "the handlebars, which is more-in.keeping .with the .standards of safety. However, any known method of attachment maybeemployed and still tbeiwithinlthe ,contemplationof .thisinvention.

1T0 :disassemble .the .steering unit comprising gmylinvention it.is only. necessary to. loweradjustin nut IA .toward the journalling -4 thereby breakingthe frictional engagement between the cylindrical expander .3, ;and thehandlebar .stem .22 mithinthmsteering.head-3. :After screw plug IB and pin I3 are removed from adjusting nut I4, the elements may be completely disassembled.

' The modification shown in Fig. 5 comprises manufacturing adjusting nut I4 in two portions I8 and;l9 with the remainder of the invention .remainingtunchanged. iUsing this construction, assembly and disassembly is more easily efiected ,by simply threading portion I8 of adjusting nut I4 on handlebar stem 2 to a point just below the 10 aligned "apertures Ill and opening II. Pin I3 is thendnsertedrthrough the spaces provided and gportion :I;8-of";thernut I4 is threaded up to engage pin '13 eandlpregressively raised until the desired degree .of frictional engagement is secured betweenhan'dlbar stem 2 and front Wheel fork stem I. :Portion I9 of the adjusting nut I4 is then lowered into close engagement with portion is and together act as a-lock nut. lnthismanlner theneedlfor-screw plug.U5 of nut .IA .hasbeen eliminated.

Other modes of applying the principle.of..the invention may be employed-change .being .made as regards the details -.described, ,provided the 'features stated in any of the Lidllowingclaims or rthee uivalent ofsuch beemployed.

lthereforeparticularly.point outanddistinctly .claixn. as my.inventi0n:

.1. "The. combination-of. inner and.outer tubular Jnembers .arranged in .terminal telescopic .en-

.gagement, said .inner member being .terminall-y slotted, -a cylindrical expander member .within .saidinner member, .complementarydnclined seats nnsaid -inner and expander .members whereby ruponrelative axial movement. thereof. such slotted (,0 terminal .portion maybe expanded .into gripping -engagernent with .theinner wallof said outer member, means extending laterally xfrom said expander member .throughthe wallof said.inner .member and-a.nutathreadedtonsaidinnenmemher and engaged .with said .last named means -f or "eff ecting .such relative axial movement.

2. The combination of inner and outentubular members,arranged.in-terminaltelescopinengagemen-t, saidinnerv member, beingv terminally .slotted,

g5 ta-lcylindrical. expander .member .within said .inner member, complementary inclined .seats on .said irmerand expandenmembers .whereby .upon .rela tiva axial-'movement thereof such slotted-terminal ,portion .may .beexpanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall ofrsaid outerzmember, a pin extending transversely -.of said inner "and expander members and engaged .with-ssaid expander-member, and meansior.moving-saidpin .andtthus said expander:memberrelatively axially of :said innermember.

3. :Ihecombination :ofdnner and outer .tubular -members.arranged .in terminal telescopic-en age- .ment, said, innermember being terminally slotted and. formed .with- .aslot .in .the wall thereof, a acy- .lindrical expander ;member ,within :said inner member, complementary :inolined. seats :on said inner: and expander members-whereby uponrrelative axial movementthereof such slotted-terminal =portion may be expanded into gripping -.engage- G 5 -ment with-the inner wall. of-said outer .member a pin in :close .fitting engagement .with saidex- .pandermembenand extending outwardly'through esuchrslot in the wallof .saidinner member and means forrsecuringesaid pinand expander. memfiber in selected positions axially-of 'said inner member.

AuThe combination of innerand outer tubular membersarranged-interminal telescopic-engagementflsaid inner. member. beingrterminally-slotted 7 5 and formed with zanaaxially eextending-slot in tthe wall thereof, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, a pin in close fitting engagement with said expander member and extending outwardly through such axially extending slot in the wall of said inner member, and means for moving said pin and thus said expander member relatively axially of said inner member and for securing the same in a selected position.

5. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted and formed with an axial slot in the wall thereof, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, a pin in close fitting engagement with said expander member and extending outwardly of said inner member through such axial slot in the wall of said inner member, and a nut means in screw threaded engagement with the outer surface of said inner member and engaging said pin to move the same and thus said expander member axially relative to said inner member.

6. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted and formed with an axially extending slot in the wall thereof, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, a pin in close fitting engagement with said expander member and extending outwardly of said inner member through such axially extending slot in the wall of said inner member, and a nut means screw threaded on the outer surface of said inner member and embracing said pin on opposite sides thereof axially of said inner member.

7. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted and formed with an axially extending slot in the wall thereof, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, a pin in close fitting engagement with said expander member and extending outwardly of said inner member through such axially extending slot in the wall of said inner member, and nuts threaded onto the outer surface of said inner member on opposite sides of said pin and in engagement therewith.

8. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, said inner member at a point remote from its slotted end, being provided with diametrically opposite, axially extending slots and said expander member being provided with a transverse opening in alignment with said slots, a pin extending through said slot and opening, threads on the exterior surface of said inner iember in the area of said slots, and a nut on said threads, said nut having an annular groove on its inner face into which project the ends of said pin.

9. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seats on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, said inner member at a point remote from its slotted end, provided with diametrically opposite, axially extending slots and said expander member provided with a transverse opening in alignment with said slots, a pin extending through said slots and opening, threads on the exterior surface of said inner member in the area of said slots, and a nut means on said threads, said nut means providing an annular groove on the inner face into which project the ends of said pin.

10. The combination of inner and outer tubular members arranged in terminal telescopic engagement, said inner member being terminally slotted and formed with an axial slot through the wall thereof, a cylindrical expander member within said inner member, complementary inclined seat on said inner and expander members whereby upon relative axial movement thereof such slotted terminal portion may be expanded into gripping engagement with the inner wall of said outer member, a pin in close fitting engagement with said expander member extending outwardly of said inner member through such axial slot in the wall of the latter,

and nuts in screw threaded engagement with the outer surface of said inner member disposed on opposite sides of said pin and adapted to engage said pin to move the same together with said expander member axially relative to said inner member.

11. The combination of an outer tubular member, a terminally slotted inner tubular member within said outer member, and another member within said inner member, said inner and another members being formed with complementary inclined seats whereby upon relative axial movement thereof the terminally slotted portion of said inner member will be frictionally gripped between said outer and another members, said inner member being formed with an axially extending slot in the wall thereof and a laterally projecting member on said another member extending through such axially extending slot in the wall of said inner member for effecting relative axial movement as aforesaid.

HOMER L. MUELLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 579,265 Gulick Mar. 23, 1897 622,766 Harris Apr. 11, 1899 2,279,324 Julien Apr. 14, 1942 

